Air curtain unit including mounting clip

Abstract

An air curtain unit of a vehicle includes an inflator assembly and an air curtain that is in fluid communication with the inflator assembly. A clip includes a hook that extends at least partially around the air curtain. The clip includes a mounting portion that is fixed to the hook and is engaged with the inflator. The mounting portion of the clip supports the air curtain relative to the inflator assembly, and the hook of the clip supports the air curtain in a desired location.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An air curtain unit comprising:
 an inflator assembly; 
 an air curtain in fluid communication with the inflator assembly and inflatable from an undeployed position to a deployed position; and 
 a clip including a hook extending at least partially around the air curtain in the undeployed position, the air curtain deforming the clip in the deployed position; 
 the clip including a mounting portion fixed to the hook and engaged with the inflator assembly; and 
 the inflator assembly including a body and a bracket spaced from the body, the clip extending between the body and the bracket. 
 
     
     
       2. The air curtain unit as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the inflator assembly is configured to be mounted to at least one of a roof and an upper body side of a vehicle. 
     
     
       3. The air curtain unit as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the inflator assembly defines a hole and the mounting portion extends through the hole. 
     
     
       4. The air curtain unit as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the bracket defines a hole and the mounting portion extends through the hole. 
     
     
       5. The air curtain unit as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the clip includes a bend disposed between the mounting portion and the hook. 
     
     
       6. The air curtain unit as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the clip includes a weakened region adjacent to the air curtain. 
     
     
       7. The air curtain unit as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the weakened region includes an indentation. 
     
     
       8. The air curtain unit as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the mounting portion includes a fastener configured to engage a vehicle. 
     
     
       9. The air curtain unit as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a ramp adjacent to the hook. 
     
     
       10. The air curtain unit as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the clip is formed of a polymer. 
     
     
       11. The air curtain unit as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the clip includes a second mounting portion spaced from the mounting portion and an intermediate portion extending from the mounting portion to the second mounting portion along the air curtain. 
     
     
       12. The air curtain unit as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the hook compresses the air curtain. 
     
     
       13. An air curtain unit comprising:
 an inflator; 
 an air curtain in fluid communication with the inflator and inflatable from an undeployed position to a deployed position; and 
 a clip including a hook extending at least partially around the air curtain in the undeployed position, the hook supporting and compressing the air curtain; 
 wherein the air curtain in the undeployed position includes a compressed region compressed by the hook and an uncompressed region spaced from the hook, the uncompressed region having a larger diameter than the compressed region; 
 the air curtain deforms the clip in the deployed position; and 
 the inflator includes a body and a bracket spaced from the body, the clip being disposed between the body and the bracket. 
 
     
     
       14. The air curtain unit as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the inflator is configured to be mounted to at least one of a roof and an upper body side of a vehicle. 
     
     
       15. The air curtain unit as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein the clip includes a weakened region adjacent to the air curtain. 
     
     
       16. The air curtain unit as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the weakened region includes an indentation. 
     
     
       17. The air curtain unit as set forth in  claim 13 , further comprising a ramp adjacent to the hook.